Desroches Island is a lush private Four Seasons resort in the Seychelles. With its rustic high-end villas, sweeping private beaches, and five-star castaway vibes, it's the perfect retreat for reconnecting. Ambling giant tortoises, yoga classes, surf excursions, creole cooking classes, and spa and wellness options are beautifully designed to offer a fully immersive experience into the landscape and culture of the Seychelles. Those who want to dive down into the blue will also be dazzled by The Desroches Drop with its underwater maze of caves and corals, secret passageways, and sheer walls.
Remote shores await you at Poivre Island. The Seychelles comprises many beautiful slips, islands, and atolls, and Poivre can be found on the eastern edge of the Amirante Bank. This gem of an island was first discovered back in 1770, and for large swathes of its life span, it was used primarily for farming, snuffling pigs and cattle, and the sweet scent of vanilla. As it's so far-flung, it is rarely visited, making it a haven for wildlife and nature to thrive. Charter guests will see nesting grounds for both Hawksbill and Green Turtles while the branches and skies are alive with the squawks and feathers of Frigates and Fairy Terns. Fishing, birdwatching, and touring the oldest vanilla plantation on the Outer Islands are musts on Poivre.
Sitting 400 km south of Mahe, Alphonse Island is a place of pure, unfiltered bliss in the sweet Seychelles. Surrounded by vibrant clear waters, thick with greenery, and picture book palms, Alphonse is a private retreat. Charter guests can make the most of what this island offers - home to 75 Aldabra Tortoises, a tapestry of incredible diving sites, and exceptional white sand beaches and fly fishing flats. Alphonse is truly la creme de la creme of the Indian Ocean. Its world-class lodge boasts spa facilities, bars, a fishing center, and a PADI dive school. Days are best spent snorkeling with sailfish and mantas, bird and turtle watching, assisting in conservation efforts, and partaking in an endless array of water activities.
The smaller Seychelles island of La Digue is the laid-back sibling to the larger Seychelles islands of Mahé and Praslin. Window boxes and plant pots overflow with flowers as Creole houses nestle under papaya trees. As wooden pirogues float across the bay, fishermen saunter along the road with sticks hung with fish. This is where authentic Seychellois island life can be found.
One of the most secluded islands in the Seychelles, Silhouette Island boasts only a handful of residents, a singular resort, and plenty of wide and wild open space. In fact, the island is 90% natural park meaning protected corners can be found at every turn. From walking trails to white sand beaches, cinnamon trees, and giant tortoises - everything on these shores seem to be carved from a dream. Grab a snorkel and plunge into the welcoming warm shades of blue where curious parrot fish, rays, and white tipped sharks get up close and personal. Silhouette Island is also a first-class nesting spot for turtles too and with a dedicated research center you can get an in-depth understanding of these ancient and wise creatures.
Despite being the Seychelles' second-largest island, Praslin has a small population. When you arrive here, you'll see a jungle-covered mountain ridge rising from the ocean, with a few low-rise houses and a tiny jetty. The typical tropical-island triad of sun, sea, and sand is a major draw, but there are also botanical wonders, amazing birdlife, and the slow speed of traditional Seychellois island life to be found.
The Seychelles boasts over 115 islands and magical Mahe is the largest. Draped in palms, powder soft beaches, boulders, and unparalleled natural beauty, Mahe is a purely tropical mood. For those who want to soak up the best beach in Mahe, be sure to head over to the eastern side where Beau Vallon tempts with its incredibly clear waters and warm sunlit sands. Mahe is also spilling over with sublime hiking trails, so for those who love a wonderful walk, you can duck into the cool interior and wander through fragrant cloud forests. Beyond the beach and the forests, Mahe also boasts plenty of local encounters and culture. From buzzing market scenes to the lively capital of Victoria, there’s plenty of creole color to keep you wined, dined, and wonderfully entertained.